The Parc des Princes outfit were helped by a standout performance from keeper Salvatore Sirigu and a goal from Kevin Gameiro, during what proved otherwise to be an underwhelming performance.
"This is a great victory, for it has lifted us up to [joint] first place," Ancelotti said at the post-match press conference. "I expected [the match] to be difficult, and am therefore happy because we still won.
"It was a more complicated affair due to the recent international break. The first half was not so good, but we created chances in the second period with intensity and speed, and therefore deserved to win.
The former AC Milan trainer then went on to explain some of his team selections.
"Thiago Silva can feature in all central positions, and played well tonight. We were conserving [Javier] Pastore to keep him fresh ahead of the Champions League," he said.
On a night the ambitious club's big guns failed to fire, the relatively unused Gameiro proved to be the hero with his goal, and he celebrated the significance of his scoring exploits.
"It is not easy to replace the first-team players, and I admit I was lacking some match-fitness," revealed the former Lorient striker.
"It was a pleasure to score, especially since this is the sole purpose of the game. Personally and collectively, my goal meant a lot on the whole tonight."
Credit Goal.com
Chimdindu Nweke
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